Int'l community shows confidence in future of Hong Kong: spokesman

The report on global financial centers index, released by British and Chinese think tanks, has shown the international community's confidence in Hong Kong's unique status and strengths as well as the future prospects of 'one country, two systems', Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a press briefing in Beijing on Friday.

The Global Financial Centers Index (GFCI) 39 Report, released by British think tank Z/Yen Group and the China Development Institute in Shenzhen, assessed a total of 120 financial centers around the world. Hong Kong maintained third place globally and continued to hold the top position in the Asia-Pacific region.

"We noted the report. It represents yet another vote of confidence from the international community in Hong Kong’s unique status and strengths and in the prospects of 'one country, two systems'. Hong Kong is now at a new stage where it is set to thrive. Its status as a center in international finance, shipping, and trade has been consolidated. Hong Kong remains the world’s freest economy, ranks third in the world competitiveness ranking, and has leapt markedly to fourth globally and to first in Asia in the world talent ranking. In 2025, initial public offerings on the Hong Kong stock exchange increased two-fold year on year, beating all the other capital markets in the world," said Lin.

"This year marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan. The Hong Kong SAR government is set to dovetail with the 15th Five-Year Plan, boost new quality productive forces based on local conditions, and accelerate high-quality development in economy and finance. We believe that with the institutional safeguards of the 'one country, two systems' policy, the unique advantage of affinity to the motherland and connection to the world, and high-quality development underpinned by high-level security, Hong Kong will enjoy a brighter future," Lin added.

Int'l community shows confidence in future of Hong Kong: spokesman

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Friday that it struck multiple missile production and storage sites across Iran from Thursday night into early Friday morning.

According to the IDF, its strikes hit facilities producing ballistic missiles and other weapons in the Iranian capital Tehran, as well as missile launchers and storage facilities in western Iran.

The IDF also said that it struck Iran's primary military naval site for the production of missiles and sea mines in central Iran.

The site, located in the city of Yazd and targeted by the Israeli Air Force, was used for the planning, development, assembly and storage of advanced missiles intended for launch from surface vessels, submarines and helicopters against both mobile and stationary maritime targets, the IDF said in a statement.

The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) said on social media on Friday that a residential area in Tehran was hit by airstrikes. Search and rescue operations are underway.

Also on Friday, a security official in the central province of Qom said that the U.S. and Israeli attacks in the Pardisan area in the early hours of the day have resulted in 15 deaths and 10 injuries.

The death toll could rise further as the search and rescue operations are still underway, said the official.

Israel claims strikes on Iran's missile production, storage sites while Iran reports more casualties